The Soulful Women Duets Of South Texas – Various Artists CD 486

Description

CD 486

With the Mexican diaspora throughout the American southwest and beyond, women duets became as popular as their male equivalents, especially during the late 1930s and 40s. Las hermanas (sisters) Padilla became as popular among Spanish speaking Americans as the Andrew sisters among English speakers. Their ranks were soon swelled by other sister as well as unrelated duets from both sides of the border. With the increasing popularity of the accordion, especially in the rural border regions of Texas and northern Mexico, most women artists (as well as the men) were performing and recording accompanied by Conjuntos Norteños (northern groups). The delightful duets heard on this collection, range from the pure, wide-open, crying “country” or Norteño sound of Las Hermanas Degollado and Las Dos Marias, to the more sophisticated sounds of Rosita Fernandez and Aurelia Segovia with selections from the well established Mendoza sisters and the versatile Cantú sisters along the way. The masters, originally produced by Falcon Records of McAllen, Texas, were purchased by Arhoolie Records.

1. Postas De Retrocarga – Adela/Panchita Degollado
2. No Se Porque Te Quiero – Adela/Panchita Degollado
3. Elena – Adela/Panchita Degollado
4. Fue Mi Desgracia – Adela/Panchita Degollado
5. Contestacion A Quisiera Ser Pajarillo – Aurelia/Lucita Segovia
6. Contestacion A Mujer Paseada – Aurelia/Lucita Segovia
7. Estaras Contenta – Aurelia/Lucita Segovia
8. Contestacion A Tres Dias – Aurlia/Lucia Segovia
9. Jabon De Olor – Ninfa/Nori Cantu
10. Especialmente Para Ti – Ninfa/Nori Cantu
11. Mil Punaladas – Ninfa/Nori Cantu
12. Pegando Con Tubo – Ninfa/Nori Cantu
13. Cuatro Vicios – Maria/Juanita Mendoza
14. Una Noche Me Embriague – Maria/Juanita Mendoza
15. Carta De Amor – Maria/Juanita Mendoza
16. Un Dia Con Otro – Maria/Juanita Mendoza
17. La Pajarera – Rosita Fernandez/Aurelia Segovia
18. Hierba Mala – Rosita Fernandez/Aurelia Segovia
19. Mentiras Tuyas – Rosita Fernandez/Aurelia Segovia
20. Bala Perdida – Rosita Fernandez/Aurelia Segovia
21. Tierra Mala – Las Dos Marias
22. Nada Perdi – Las Dos Marias
23. Tu Vida Es Tu Vida – Las Dos Marias
24. Se Va A Acabar – Las Dos Marias

REVIEW

“One of the joys of writing these reviews is discovering music one might not otherwise have ever heard. Such is the case with The Soulful Women Duets of South Texas, a collection of classic Tejano duets spanning the past several decades. Many of the duets are done by sisters, who, like their male American counterparts such as the Everly Brothers, possess a special ability to blend in a way the non-sibling voices cannot. Sung in Spanish, the label has provided lyrics in both English and Spanish, but, frankly it is unnecessary. You can hear the feeling in the voices of the singers. Included in this collection are Hermanas Degollado, Rosita y Aurelia, Hermanas Mendoza, Hermanas Segovia, and Las Dos Marias. Informative histories on each act are provided in the booklet which accompanies the disk. This is great roots music and will leave one looking for more of it.”

(Allen Price — Victory Music Review)